Jan 29, 2026 | Community Engagement News, Dr. Beverly Wright News, Dr. Wright Blog, DSCEJ General News, Press Releases, Research and Policy News, Take Action Alert
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The New Orleans City Council’s decision to pass a one-year moratorium on data centers represents a small victory for New Orleans East and residential communities across the city. This action proves that when communities organize and speak truth to power, decision-makers must respond. DSCEJ commends the City Council for listening to residents and recognizing the serious threats data centers pose to community health, energy infrastructure, and environmental stability when sited too close to residential areas. This moratorium creates essential time to assess the full impact these facilities would have on our neighborhoods and establish appropriate nonresidential zoning.
However, a moratorium does not equate to a solution. Over the next year, DSCEJ will work alongside community members and continue to call on local leadership to ensure this temporary protection is solidified into permanent policy. We will monitor any attempts to weaken these protections and hold decision-makers accountable to the health and safety of the people they serve. Data centers consume extraordinary amounts of energy and water while generating heat and noise pollution, posing serious risks when sited near homes where families live, children play, and communities thrive. New Orleans East has long been treated as a sacrifice zone for industrial projects that benefit corporations while burdening Black residents with health risks and environmental harm. That pattern must end.
During this moratorium period, we call on city leadership to:
- Conduct comprehensive environmental and health impact assessments
- Engage in genuine community consultation, centering the voices of those most affected
- Develop zoning policies that prohibit industrial facilities in residential areas
- Prioritize investments that strengthen community infrastructure and economic opportunity without compromising health
“This moment belongs to the residents of New Orleans East who refused to accept yet another threat to their quality of life. And to everyone who spoke out, showed up, and demanded better we say: The work continues. We can’t rest until our communities are treated as precious assets to our city and our neighbors can rest peacefully and breathe easily knowing they are protected from environmental harm.” — Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder & Executive Director
About DSCEJ
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), founded in 1992, is the nation’s longest-serving environmental justice resource center, committed to advancing the health, safety, and livelihoods of communities impacted by pollution and climate change. Through research, education, and workforce training, DSCEJ collaborates with communities, scientists, and policymakers to address systemic environmental inequities. DSCEJ is dedicated to ensuring every person’s right to live free from environmental harm impacting health, housing, jobs, and overall quality of life.
#
Media Contact
DSCEJ Communications
media@dscej.org
Jan 8, 2025 | Community Engagement News, DSCEJ General News, Research and Policy News, The Latest News
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ragan Collins as the new Director of Community and Partner Engagement at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice.
With a rich background in community organizing and advocacy, Ragan brings a wealth of experience that perfectly aligns with our mission to uplift marginalized communities and drive systemic change.
Ragan’s expertise in building strong community partnerships and fostering collaboration will be instrumental in enhancing our outreach efforts. Her passion for health equity and environmental justice, coupled with her commitment to empowering local voices, will significantly strengthen DSCEJ initiatives aimed at creating sustainable practices within communities across the Gulf South.
Ragan’s appointment, with an eye towards her leadership capabilities, is a pivotal step towards reinforcing our dedication to advocating for those who have been historically marginalized and underserved, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued in the struggle for environmental and climate justice.
Welcome aboard, Ragan! We will make a difference together!
Dec 17, 2024 | CIRC News, Community Engagement News, Dr. Beverly Wright News, DSCEJ General News, Newsletter News, Research and Policy News, Student Engagement News, The Latest News, Worker Training Program News
YEAR END 2024 Edition
Read Our Year-End Newsletter
IN THIS EDITION:
- Worker Training Program Report
- Grant & Funding News
- Student Engagement News
- Community Engagement & Advocacy News
- Team DSCEJ Highlights
- Navigate NOLA Update
- NBEJN Report
- Dr. Wright’s Travelogue
READ MORE . . .
Nov 8, 2024 | Community Engagement News, Dr. Beverly Wright News, DSCEJ General News, Funding News, Press Releases, Research and Policy News, The Latest News
Portal Advances Democratization of Data
NEW ORLEANS, LA) – Today, the Environmental Justice Data Action Portal (EJ DAP) was officially launched at a press conference where attendees received a live demonstration of the portal’s features and capabilities. Designed to empower communities and policymakers alike, the EJ DAP is an innovative tool providing access to critical environmental and social justice data through an intuitive, interactive platform.
The EJ DAP, developed in partnership with Intellectual Concepts, LLC, combines extensive datasets on pollution, toxic chemicals, health outcomes, and demographic information, creating a user-friendly and accessible hub of vital information for communities impacted by environmental burdens. With a few clicks, users can access insights into pollution types, sources, and toxicity data for over 150 chemicals. Additionally, the portal’s integration of demographic and socioeconomic indicators enables users to see where environmental impacts intersect with social vulnerabilities.
Empowering Communities through Data and Transparency
The portal is designed to help users identify and address specific environmental challenges within their communities. With the ability to run localized queries based on ZIP codes, users can easily locate pollution sources, understand chemical compositions, and view community-specific environmental and health data. Through this data, community members, policymakers, and industry leaders are better positioned to communicate and collaborate on meaningful action toward environmental justice.
Key Features of the EJ Data Action Portal:
- Localized Pollution and Health Data: Users can explore data on pollution levels, sources, toxic chemicals, and health impacts specific to their local areas.
- ZIP Code Search and Interactive Dashboards: Users can enter their ZIP code to access data tailored to their location, including environmental burden rankings and socioeconomic indicators.
- Regular Data Updates: With ongoing data updates, the EJ DAP ensures users have access to the most current information available.
During today’s press conference, EJ DAP developers provided a live demonstration of the portal’s functionality, showcasing how users can navigate its features and apply its data in real-world contexts. The live demo highlighted how the portal’s data can aid in identifying environmental disparities and informing policy decisions that promote environmental justice.
“The democratization of data is crucial for the success of EJ communities as it will empower them to tell their stories, show injustices, and to convince administrators and other stakeholders that what they are experiencing is real. The DSCEJ’s goal with the EJ DAP is to provide the tools and resources that will allow communities to become confident, competent data champions.” said Dr. Beverly Wright, DSCEJ Founder and Executive Director.
The EJ DAP is a collaboration among experts and stakeholders in the environmental justice field, integrating insights from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), and Environmental Justice Index (EJI). This central resource aligns with the national commitment to promoting equity, health, and environmental justice, offering data transparency and empowering communities across the nation.
The Environmental Justice Data Action Portal is accessible at https://www.ejdap.org/.
About EJ DAP
The Environmental Justice Data Action Portal (EJ DAP) is committed to providing reliable, accessible environmental data to strengthen community-driven efforts toward achieving health equity and environmental justice. Through the portal, EJ DAP supports informed advocacy and policy, contributing to a more equitable future for all. This project was made possible by a grant from the Windward Fund.
###
